James was born in East Wittering during the Second World War. He was educated locally and left school in 1958 to commence a 5 year apprenticeship in Carpentry and Joinery. He obtained first class passes with distinctions and thereafter held various posts in Portsmouth, Reading and Worthing covering technical drawing and design, joinery bench work and a joinery estimator.  1977 saw a complete change in profession when James became a trainee Funeral Director with Dillistone Funeral Service. His career progressed and he was made a director in 1982. The following year, an opportunity arose for him to take over the running of S.A. Dunford in Lancing, following the sudden demise of the owner. In 1987, James purchased the business and became sole proprietor of “Dunford Funeral Service”.

Gillian was born in Merton, Surrey in 1947 and like James, she attended her local primary and secondary schools. She completed her education in 1963 and gained 7 passes at O-Level. Her first employment was with the G.P.O. as a clerical assistant and later a clerical officer. In May 1965 Gillian was able to pursue her life long ambition of becoming a nurse, training at Westminster hospital in London. After successfully qualifying as a State Registered Nurse in 1968 she came to Sussex in 1970 and qualified as a State Certified Midwife in 1971. Her career then spanned positions as nursing sister, school secretary, co-ordinator of the first crèche for West Sussex education employees and then as practice nurse in Worthing. Following the untimely death of her father in 1991, Gillian met James.

During the ensuing years, Gillian helped James with the day to day running of his Funeral business and in 1999 they were married. Both of them now devote their entire working hours to the sensitive care and understanding of all the bereaved who turn to them at their time of need.